Ridiculous Motorists

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Not nearly so simple as first world third world.

 

I lived in Ft Lauderdale for six months and did a daily 22 mile commute. Was ridden off the road repeatedly. Had to change my route every few days because of people trying to rip me off my bike. Was told on numerous occasions that bicycles weren't allowed on the road despite the law actually forbidding bikes on the sidewalk.

 

Also rode in Malawi, pretty third world I would say. Treated with respect for the most part while on a bike.

 

Like I say. Not third world versus first world. Something else going on. All the gentle folks on the motoring forums in SA that advocate riding cyclists over also love going on about how third world SA has become. They see themselves as inherently first world but due to unfortunate circumstances are forced to endure this "third World Hell" yet they have no respect for pedestrians or cyclists. Explain that one if you can.

...Yup, the world is on a knife edge, people are under duress everywhere, its got nothing to do with cyclists and motorists, or first world and third world or SA and Europe, its just people under duress, read the local news and see how many road rage incidents there are, no cyclists involved, watch how impatient people get if someone takes too long at the traffic light, horns blow and arms get to waving out the window, no cyclists involved, the other day here in Toronto (a first world country) a driver was seen beating on a car with a baseball bat because the driver cut him off, I was in the line at the grocery store the other day and a woman just exploded because the cashier needed to call for more change, people are on a short fuse everywhere and will take out that frustration on whoever gets in their way.

 

Is it right, of course not, is it a reality.. damn sure it is. 

[Ghia10]

As a motorist you must have encountered cyclist, was it not equally shocking and frightening how some of them rode. 

You raise a valid point... There are a few cyclists out there who, thanks to their attitudes, make the rest of us look bad. I guess that its a catch 22 kind of thing

[Ghia10]

As a motorist you must have encountered cyclist, was it not equally shocking and frightening how some of them rode. 

You raise a valid point... There are a few cyclists out there who, thanks to their attitudes, make the rest of us look bad. I guess that its a catch 22 kind of thing

[carbon29er]

As a motorist you must have encountered cyclist, was it not equally shocking and frightening how some of them rode. 

 

 

You raise a valid point... There are a few cyclists out there who, thanks to their attitudes, make the rest of us look bad. I guess that its a catch 22 kind of thing

I don't buy this.  It's a cop out to justify bigotry.

 

Recreational cyclists (guys in lycra)  make up no more than 10% of cyclists on our roads.  I can't remember when I last encountered a commuter on the roads I use that rode in equally shocking and frightening way. They are just trying to mind their own business and stay alive.

 

I would hazard a guess too that if I encountered 1 lycra rider a ride riding in a equally shocking and frightening way it would be a lot. I must pass at least 50 lycras on the roads daily, sometimes more.

 

So on my napkin stats, 1 in 50 is 2%, but I pass hundreds of commuters a day so this equally shocking and frightening way is diluted further into 0.something %.

 

Hardly justification for driving like a dick.

 

PS: Funnily enough, I have never had a cyclist, of any type, cause me any issues when I've been prepared to respect their space and #staywider.

[DJR]

................PS: Funnily enough, I have never had a cyclist, of any type, cause me any issues when I've been prepared to respect their space and #staywider.

I can say the same thing.

[J∆kk∆ls]

I was cut off drastically by a car with two bikes on the back and the driver wearing his PPA ride wider than the rider shirt.

 

Bottom line, people are what they are.

 

Welcome to the cycling world and don't let narrowness of other minds affect yours.

[Paddaman]

Not nearly so simple as first world third world.

 

I lived in Ft Lauderdale for six months and did a daily 22 mile commute. Was ridden off the road repeatedly. Had to change my route every few days because of people trying to rip me off my bike. Was told on numerous occasions that bicycles weren't allowed on the road despite the law actually forbidding bikes on the sidewalk.

 

Also rode in Malawi, pretty third world I would say. Treated with respect for the most part while on a bike.

 

Like I say. Not third world versus first world. Something else going on. All the gentle folks on the motoring forums in SA that advocate riding cyclists over also love going on about how third world SA has become. They see themselves as inherently first world but due to unfortunate circumstances are forced to endure this "third World Hell" yet they have no respect for pedestrians or cyclists. Explain that one if you can.

The funny thing as soon as we label people into groups that are different to ours then we dehumanise them.  Once that is done then any abuse can be justified against them.  The answer is some where in this video:

 

http://www.ted.com/talks/eve_ensler_on_security

[arendoog]

Avoid roads .Mtb only !

[carbon29er]

I was cut off drastically by a car with two bikes on the back and the driver wearing his PPA ride wider than the rider shirt.

 

Bottom line, people are what they are.

 

Welcome to the cycling world and don't let narrowness of other minds affect yours.

Completely unacceptable. Often the worst offenders have bicycles on the back of their cars almost as a badge to hide their dickheadness. In the past they wore those yellow bangles, would wind down the window and shout "I'm a cyclist too" after cutting you up. Gee, I could go on for hours....but I've got work to do in getting our message across.

[Mokgaga'a mmakubela!]

behavior of motorists is beyond your control. buy a mountain bike and ride off-road or plan your route very carefully if you have to ride a road bike.

[Barker]

I noticed that motorists and i will include myself in this.

 

1) Cant seem to estimate the speed at which i bicycle is approaching before they turn.

2) The will pass you cautiously and then forget about you and turn right in front of you.

3) They sometimes expect you to give them the right of way in a circle when you are already in the circle - just bizaar.

[cat-i]

I noticed that motorists and i will include myself in this.

 

1) Cant seem to estimate the speed at which i bicycle is approaching before they turn.

2) The will pass you cautiously and then forget about you and turn right in front of you.

3) They sometimes expect you to give them the right of way in a circle when you are already in the circle - just bizaar.

 

As a driver I am aware of motorbikes and bicycles - but it is scary when they lane-split down Republic when traffic is barely moving. I have once or twice started to change lanes and then at the last moment saw the motorbike - they really are invisible.

 

So when I commute on my bicycle, I found it safest to just always assume that I'm completely invisible to cars - even after you've made eye contact. 

 

It gets a bit frustrating if a motorbike (equally vulnerable) cut me off at a traffic circle when it was clearly my turn, but then I guess he was just tired of getting bullied and was too glad to find someone that he could bully for a change.

 

It's not personal.

[GoLefty!!]

I don't buy this.  It's a cop out to justify bigotry.

 

Recreational cyclists (guys in lycra)  make up no more than 10% of cyclists on our roads.  I can't remember when I last encountered a commuter on the roads I use that rode in equally shocking and frightening way. They are just trying to mind their own business and stay alive.

 

I would hazard a guess too that if I encountered 1 lycra rider a ride riding in a equally shocking and frightening way it would be a lot. I must pass at least 50 lycras on the roads daily, sometimes more.

 

So on my napkin stats, 1 in 50 is 2%, but I pass hundreds of commuters a day so this equally shocking and frightening way is diluted further into 0.something %.

 

Hardly justification for driving like a dick.

 

PS: Funnily enough, I have never had a cyclist, of any type, cause me any issues when I've been prepared to respect their space and #staywider.

 

Oh I've seen plenty cyclists riding their bikes like they drive their cars. Their attitudes are pretty similar in life too. It's not s motorist vs cyclist problem it's a good person vs poos problem

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Oh I've seen plenty cyclists riding their bikes like they drive their cars. Their attitudes are pretty similar in life too. It's not s motorist vs cyclist problem it's a good person vs poos problem

whenever I let a ped or a cyclist / motorcyclist through, or in before me, whatever, they seem genuinely surprised... I make a habit of it (or try to) - I remember how *** it was sometimes commuting in London every day. The buses were the worst... Jeepers. 

[Patchelicious]

whenever I let a ped or a cyclist / motorcyclist through, or in before me, whatever, they seem genuinely surprised... I make a habit of it (or try to) - I remember how *** it was sometimes commuting in London every day. The buses were the worst... Jeepers. 

I must say, I have noticed here in JHB that its the truck drivers that are most patient and give the room that is needed to pass, even though they have the biggest vehicle to move.... Obviously there are exceptions, but I just noticed this lately.

 

Always a big wave thanks to them, which they seem to appreciate too.

[J∆kk∆ls]

Completely unacceptable. Often the worst offenders have bicycles on the back of their cars almost as a badge to hide their dickheadness. In the past they wore those yellow bangles, would wind down the window and shout "I'm a cyclist too" after cutting you up. Gee, I could go on for hours....but I've got work to do in getting our message across.

Yeah you have a tough task ahead of you. The other day I asked my colleagues if they new what the legal distance was to pass a cyclist. They did not know! And reading through a 2013 version of the K53 learners booklet and there was nothing to educate new motorist on cyclist. The problem is at the base.